The HR impact of COVID-19 in the workplace

It is business as usual here at Partners Employment Lawyers and with over 200 companies signed up to our online Afternoon Update at 2pm tomorrow (30th April 2020) *COVID-19 cases at work, Mental Health, Stress and Suicide*, we thought we’d highlight some of the interesting cases we are tacking and that we will be discussing tomorrow. If you wish sign up now, reply to this email. Don’t miss out!

• A senior manager was recently dismissed for voicing his concerns to his manager around COVID-19 and the lack of company measures in place. He decided to not have his team attend international event attended by around 2000. Some team members had underlying health conditions. As a result, the company decided to dismiss him with immediate effect.

• An employee faces disciplinary action and potential dismissal from a large reputable law firm for walking out of the office over fears another employee, who works in proximity, has coronavirus. The employees’ mother has underlying health conditions, and this was partly the reason she walked out of the office.

• Can a furloughed employee be required to take holiday? Can furlough be paid during notice period? Can you re-engage an employee you dismissed and furlough them? An employee was pressured into carrying out her normal day-today work whilst on furlough leave by senior management. Later, senior management gives the employee and ultimatum – resign or take redundancy. What is the situation then?

• An employee with less than two years’ service and on a six-month sabbatical is told his role is no longer available because of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

• An employer refuses to allow an employee concerned for their health and safety during this pandemic to wear a face mask at work because it is not in line with the image of the company.